VITO'S MOCK DRAFT: Intrigue surrounds top-five picks

Pundits have been saying as much since the start of last basketball season. Months have passed, games have been played, players have declared (and gotten injured), and now NBA Draft night is upon us.

Here’s a modest try at predicting the most-unpredictable draft in recent memory:

1 Cleveland: Duke SF/PF Jabari Parker (6-8, 241). The Cavaliers are looking for the most-NBA-ready player, and with Joel Embiid injured – yet again – that player is Parker, who gave Cleveland an up-close look during an intense workout for the team last week. Unwilling to take a chance on a top pick for the second straight year (Anthony Bennett, anyone?), the Cavaliers gleefully scoop up Parker.

2 Milwaukee: Kansas SF Andrew Wiggins (6-8, 197). The swingman, the Sixers’ obvious target, will not be available at No. 3. Embiid’s injury made sure of that. Is it possible the Sixers swing a deal for him? Sure. But the asking price skyrocketed between last week and now.

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3 76ERS: International PG/SG Dante Exum (6-6, 196). The draft’s most-unknown entity, Exum lands with the Sixers … and, honestly, he might be their best option. General manager Sam Hinkie cannot afford to come out of this draft without a future impact player, considering how the Sixers tanked away their season to reach this stage, so barring a trade to move up to No. 1 to snatch Wiggins, Exum could be their guy. Sixers coach Brett Brown coached Exum’s father back in their Australian hoops days, and Brown coached the younger Exum in the country’s national team system. Exum is a long, athletic ballhandler without a lot of high-caliber experience. In terms of potential, he may end up being the biggest steal of the draft, which would be a blessing for the Sixers.

4 Orlando: Indiana PF Noah Vonleh (6-9, 247). The biggest draft-board riser, from combine to draft night, is Vonleh. He’s a chiseled big who can shoot, rebound, stretch the floor … and he’ll fit in wonderfully with a skilled green core with the Magic.

5 Utah: Kansas C Joel Embiid (7-0, 240). If someone takes a shot on an injured rim-protector like Embiid, it’s the Jazz, who allowed the fourth-most points per game in the paint last season. Embiid’s latest setback, a right foot stress fracture that required surgery, followed up a series of fractures in his back.

10 76ERS: Michigan State PF Adreian Payne (6-10, 239). After adding an outside shot to his game in his senior year, Payne brings everything to the table. He scores, defends, posts up, steps out, rebounds and can handle the ball. He’s a great fit beside Nerlens Noel.

11 Denver: International PF Dario Saric (6-10, 223). Another overseas prospect comes off the board, as the Nuggets benefit from Saric, the Croatian import who’s an instant facilitator on offense.